Can Supplements Boost My Sun Defense?

Question: "Can vitamin supplements boost the skin's sun defenses?"

Answer: Don't toss your sunscreen just yet, cautions Nicholas Lowe, M.D., a clinical professor of dermatology at UCLA. "While some studies suggest that taking antioxidants may result in a milder sunburn, more research is still needed." Because sunburn was merely reduced in these studies, antioxidants-such as beta-carotene and vitamins C and E-shouldn't be your first line of defense. "Supplements may increase protection, but they're not a sunscreen alternative," Dr. Lowe states.

Originally published in Fitness magazine.